@article{Deiters:144858,
      recid = {144858},
      author = {Deiters, Jivka and Schiefer, Gerhard},
      title = {Network Learning and Innovation in SME Formal Networks},
      journal = {International Journal on Food System Dynamics},
      address = {2013-02},
      number = {1012-2016-81201},
      pages = {13},
      year = {2013},
      abstract = {The driver for this paper is the need to better understand  the potential for learning and innovation that networks can  provide especially for small and medium sized enterprises  (SMEs) which comprise by far the majority of enterprises in  the food sector. With the challenges the food sector is  facing in the near future, learning and innovation or more  focused, as it is being discussed in the paper, ‘learning  for innovation’ are not just opportunities but  pre‐conditions for the sustainability of the sector.  Network initiatives that could provide appropriate support  involve social interaction and knowledge exchange,  learning, competence development, and coordination  (organization) and management of implementation. The  analysis identifies case studies in any of these  orientations which serve different stages of the innovation  process: invention and implementation. The variety of  network case studies cover networks linked to a focus group  for training, research, or consulting, networks dealing  with focused market oriented product or process  development, promotional networks, and networks for open  exchange and social networking.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/144858},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.144858},
}